‘He is picking up the important wickets’ – Aakash Chopra praises discarded India bowler after crucial spell in RR vs RCB

Ravi Bishnoi had been the premier spinner for the Lucknow Super Giants since they made their Indian Premier League (IPL) debut in 2022. However, this changed when the Rajasthan Royals (RR) roped him in at the IPL 2026 mini auction.

Last season in the IPL, Bishnoi had a forgettable time at Lucknow. He bagged nine wickets in 11 matches at an average of 44.56. He was overshadowed by fellow leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi, who had made his IPL debut in that season.

After moving to the Royals, Bishnoi has rediscovered his form. In just four games, he has accounted for nine wickets at an average of 12.67 and currently holds the Purple Cap.

After RR’s six-wicket win over the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Friday, April 10, former India opener Aakash Chopra lauded Bishnoi’s spell of 2/32 in four overs. The 25-year-old bagged the key wickets of Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya.

“He had nine wickets in 11 matches last time, and has already taken nine in four. He took four wickets in the last match, and he dismissed Virat Kohli here. He is picking up the important wickets. Well done, Rajasthan. Actually, it was a steal deal. Good acquisition, and he is delivering the goods. So a massive thumbs up for Ravi Bishnoi,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.

Chopra was impressed by Jofra Archer’s planning as he started proceedings with a sharp bouncer, which caught Phil Salt by surprise and had him caught by wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel.

“Jofra Archer dismissed Phil Salt on the first ball. Why does no fast bowler bowl a bouncer on the first ball? As an opener, you are never ready for a bouncer. You feel he might bowl a length ball or make it swing. A bouncer is the last thing on your mind. Archer bowled a bouncer, and Salt got out off the first ball,” he observed.

He is one of the best players of spin: Aakash Chopra on Rajat Patidar

The cricketer-turned-commentator heaped praise on Patidar for showing different modes to his batting during his effort in rescuing RCB from a precarious position and setting the foundation for them to post a 200-plus total.

“Rajat Patidar is brilliant. He is absolutely gold dust. The way he is hitting sixes while standing in his position, he has changed the cricketing style. He is one of the best players of spin. There is no doubt about that. Maturity, clarity, conviction, and quality. If you combine all of that, I see Rajat Patidar’s knock,” he said.

The former Kolkata Knight Riders batter mentioned that RCB might not have batted their full quota of 20 overs had Patidar not played the kind of knock he did.

“A lot of wickets had fallen from the other end, and it seemed like the team might not be able to play 20 overs. You had to bring in Venkatesh Iyer as the Impact Player, which means you didn’t get Suyash Sharma later, but Rajat Patidar, well done,” Chopra observed.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Dhruv Jurel amassed 78 and 81*, respectively, to make the run chase of 202 look easy.  The inaugural champions eventually romped home in 18 overs, with six wickets left in the bank.